Very Good
#678 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 26% in state
James W Smith Elementary
Elementary School · Craven County Board of Education
150 Koonce Town Road, Cove City, NC 28523
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#576 of 1,474
In district
#8 of 26
Craven County Board of Education
Equity
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About James W Smith Elementary
James W Smith Elementary is a regular public elementary school nestled in the rural setting of Cove City, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 330 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. With its MySchoolScout rating at 6.3 out of 10 and ranking as the 62nd percentile among North Carolina schools, James W Smith Elementary focuses on fostering academic growth and development for its students.
According to state assessments, 48% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 47% meet proficiency standards in Math. The school is situated within a rural community where it plays an important role in providing education and support for local families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, James W Smith Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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James W Smith Elementary — Students at James W Smith Elementary score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.
How James W Smith Elementary Compares
See how James W Smith Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 55.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 51.1% (2025).
Location
150 Koonce Town Road, Cove City, NC 28523
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James W Smith Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pollocksville Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Pollocksville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Trent Park Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby New Bern), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Chicod (rated 7.7/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Greenville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cove City, see our Cove City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CLAYSMILL RD CHRISTIAN ACADAMY Dover | 4.1 mi | 5.9 |
| SWIFT CREEK MENNONITE SCHOOL Grifton | 8.0 mi | — |
| West Craven Middle New Bern | 8.2 mi | 4.9 |
| West Craven High Vanceboro | 8.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Vanceboro-Farm Life Elementary Vanceboro | 9.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Grifton Grifton | 11.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Chicod Greenville | 14.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Trenton Elementary Trenton | 15.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Jones Senior High School Trenton | 15.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern | 14.2 mi | 7.2 |
| New Bern High New Bern | 14.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Ayden-Grifton High Ayden | 14.8 mi | 3.7 |
| H J MacDonald Middle New Bern | 14.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Craven Early College High New Bern | 14.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Contentnea-Savannah School Kinston | 13.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Craven Virtual Academy New Bern | 15.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Trent Park Elementary New Bern | 15.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Pollocksville Elementary Pollocksville | 17.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Oaks Road Academy New Bern | 15.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Grover C Fields Middle New Bern | 15.6 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,283
Median Home Value
$167,700
Median Rent
$667/mo
Population
2,710
College Educated
19.7%
Homeownership
71.6%
Avg Commute
28.6 min
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
45.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding James W Smith Elementary has a median household income of $45,283. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $167,700, with a median rent of $667/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bradley Creek Elementary Wilmington, NC | 7.6 |
| Buckland Elementary Gates, NC | 7.6 |
| Bugg Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.6 |
| Dublin Primary Dublin, NC | 7.6 |
| Etowah Elementary Etowah, NC | 7.6 |
| Lilesville Elementary Lilesville, NC | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James W Smith Elementary
What grades does James W Smith Elementary serve?
James W Smith Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend James W Smith Elementary?
James W Smith Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 330 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James W Smith Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James W Smith Elementary is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James W Smith Elementary rank in NC?
James W Smith Elementary is ranked #678 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is James W Smith Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James W Smith Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James W Smith Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James W Smith Elementary has 46.8% math proficiency and 48.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James W Smith Elementary a charter school?
No, James W Smith Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James W Smith Elementary a Title I school?
No, James W Smith Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James W Smith Elementary?
99.1% of students at James W Smith Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 330
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Craven County
- Phone
- (252) 514-6466
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Craven County Board of Education- District Enrollment
- 12,584
- Schools in District
- 26
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,893
- District Rank
- #8 of 26
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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